Bansko Gondola lift station: Picture taken 15.11.11

Bansko lift pass prices 2012. I’m sorry, but there is no official announcement on lift prices. We have to wait until the 1st December.

But, as I have been emailed the same question many times the last few weeks, I’ve decided I would risk being wrong and say that the Bansko lift pass prices will PROBABLY be the same as lift prices in 2011. That is, a day rate of 55 lv for most of the season. 45 lv per day until 20th December and from 1st April 2011.

I’ll update this lift pass prices page when I know for sure. Subscribe to the newsletter, using the form to the right, and you’ll receive updates by email.

UPDATE: Yes these are the correct prices for 2011/2012 bansko ski season.

For 2012 I have useful savings on prebook lift passes. The six and three day discounted LIFT pass is available to pre book now.

All passes are delivered to our hire shop, SkiMania, just by the gondola — right by the web cam.

Avoid the queue…

click Ski Packages

for more on 2012 lift passes, ski hire, ski school and transfers. Or just go to contact form and send your enquiry.

Ski season is starting

With all the snow making going on right now, the expectation is for a few runs to be open from the 1st December. Watch out for my video blog later this week.

The official Bansko ski season opening is the 17th December. More on this soon. But for now, with all the new places opening up, Bansko starts to take on the bubble of the winter season.

I can’t wait.

Buying lift pass tickets in the resort

Go to the gondola lift KIOSK. Open Thursday to Saturday between 08:30 and 23:00 (not generally happening in 2012) and Sunday to Wednesday 08:30 to 15:30.

If your pass is for more than a day, then you’ll need everyone in your group to be there. They take a digital photo taken at booth. You can buy your pass anytime the previous day to be valid for the next day.

MaxSport in Sofia sold passes last year. There’s a big MaxSport on Bulgaria Boulevard some 300 m from the ring road in Sofia. But I will be checking, once season has started, that this really is an option. As this might ba a convenient method for people staying in Sofia prior to heading out to Bansko.

Purchase full travel insurance before travelling to Bansko. Checking the small print is essential.

Prepay lift passes and ski hire

The prepay deal right here with BanskoBlog.com is easy to arrange. With an ice cool discount off in resort ski /board hire and a bonus discount too for those who booking transfer too.

Pay in UK Pounds or EUROS credit/debit card via secure paypal.

As always, I work with BanskoSkiMania in Bansko. Small class sizes, professional instruction… this ski and snowboard school is recommended by many. Located just 50m from the main gondola lift. For 2012 we have more snowboards with new Flow and Salomon bindings.

VIP skis and the wonderful Hart skis for strong intermediates and more. Look out for the review of these soon. Or how about the super cool Whitedot freeride skis. Limited stock. Strong intermediates should reserve early to avoid disappointment. Bansko Blog discount applies for all ski hire and lessons.

Bansko Gondola Lift Station: Looking towards ski domain

Leave your skis nowboards and boots at the ski hire shops at the end of your day on the slopes. New equipment for the 2012 season, or just one season old. Free service of skis between rental, including sharp edges and hot waxing. Guaranteed instruction. Click ski packages for more. This deal is only at prepaid price. Three steps to book your discounted ski package:

1. subscribe here at BanskoBlog.com, and attached will be a SKI PACKAGE form to fill in with prices and email back to me
2. you will then be instructed to pay BanskoBlog.com by credit/debit card via secure PAYPAL (or call or email ccard details)
3. you receive your reference number and spreadsheet marked as paid.

Bansko Lift Pass Prices 2011/12 from 01.12.2011 – to 20.12.2011 inclusive and from 01.04.2012 – to 15.04.2012 inclusive

from 21.12.2011 – to 31.03.2012  inclusive

Ski passes for guests of the Kempinski Hotel

All ski passes grant access to the gondola’s fast lane

Children – up to 12 years The season pass grants access to all lifts’ fast lane and isn’t a subject to other price reductions Mountain insurance included (I recommend you buy your own ski insurance before travel). In insurance not included in prepay lift passes.

Exchange rates

Value For Money?  The UK’s Post Office survey in 2011 put Bansko at the top for cheapest/best value skiing in Europe. And for 2012 with extra snow cannon I think the value is beter. But I want more lifts — here’s hoping for 2012/13 we will see the much talked about lift and run expansion start.

Finally, do please comment. Be aware the gondola queues happen at peak times.

Take a peek at the live streaming Q cam to help you choose your time to get up the mountain.

Related posts:

1. Bansko Gondola Lift Opening Times & Prices: Summer 2011 Summer is here, and the Bansko gondola lift is open....
2. World & European Cup FIS Alpine Skiing Comes Bansko In 2012: Heaven Or Hell? World Cup FIS skiing in Bansko 2012. Sounds great, and...
3. Weather From The Lift: Paragliding In Sopot It was hot weather last week. So it was time...

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Mountain Reflection On Gondola

You can use the gondola lift to take your bike up ( the only one open). 5 lev each way. Here are the 2011 gondola opening times:

WEEKENDS:

In August ONLY gondola lift operate all day at weekends 8.30 to 4.30pm

WEEKDAYS:

1. 1st July to 31st September:

Monday to Friday at just set departure times:

GO UP:         8.00am and 12pm

GO DOWN: 1pm and 4.40pm

29th May to 30th June; and 1st October to 30th November:

Monday to Friday at just set departure times:

GO UP: 8.00am

GO DOWN:  4.40pm

INSURANCE:  You are not insured with lift ticket in summer.

All times are outside ski season. No lift prices yet for 11/12 season… or definite news on new lifts.

Some Alternative Hiking Locations

There is an excellent lift up to the Seven Rila Lakes from Panichishte. For article and video click here.

Also for hikers, mountain bikers and paragliding go to Sopot, on the Stara Planina. A single chair lift takes you high up, this beautiful area.

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Picture Taken 10th January 2010. 10:30am. Bansko Plato

Today’s snow report come from Richard live from the slopes of Bansko. He is a keen snowboarder, as well as skiier, and has a penchant for the odd beer or three as well as some unusual head gear.

Richard. BanskoBlog Snow Reporter 10/01/10

Snow Report From Richard

I got to the gondola at 8am.  But on my way it felt warm in town with all snow melted. Heavy rain in town last night suggested fresh snow at higher levels..and as you will see, I was not disappointed. The snow road looked in bad condition and I suspect will be barely useable by late afternoon.

Anyhow the lift queue was just to the 4th step down.

At Bunderitsa all lifts were open. From Platoto to Shilligarnika there was fresh snow cover of about 2 cm; a very light flurry of snow falling.

Picture Taken 12:00 pm 10th January 2010. Heavy Snow

The blue runs from Todorka down to Platoto were good with deeper fresh snow — however some beginners were struggling on some exposed ice sections. Beginners should avoid or take great caution on the upper red runs due to exposed ice.

Picture taken 10th January 2010, 3:00pm. Bansko

Tomba was closed. ULEN staff were setting up safety netting in preparation for a downhill race. At 10am intermittent heavier snow began to fall.

Snow Forecast

Wednesday there will be a little more snow. After that it’s looking like Thursday. As always, I use this chart http://www.meteonet.nl/aktueel/brackall.htm for my forecast. On Thursday there is a low pressure system that should deposit more snow. But not looking like the really cold air and deep weather system we need to get this ski season rescued from its poor start. As always this could change; but at least the trend is positive for snow later in the week.

Sofia Like Spring

Yesterday morning I went back to Sofia, and the journey was a very comfortable two hours. The city felt like the arrival of Spring. Loads of people out on the streets in bars and on the street cafes enjoying the warm sunshine of around 16 degrees. Today is again clear and warm for the time of year and I look forward to meeting friends in a half decent Mexican restaurant called Amigos, just off Vitosha. More and more regular visitors are stopping by in Sofia — and I can’t recommend a few nights stay here  enough.

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Bansko snow and weather video above. It froze to ice in Bansko town last night. Some ice on the paths when I strolled across to the gondola. But this slight drop in temperature will help keep ski conditions satisfactory for the first part of the day. Expect slush later on.

After Ivanka’s name day snow report special yesterday, and subsequent celebrations at Harry’s Bar Quiz Night, she’s taking a rest. So I took a stroll to the gondola lift to make the video report. The fog is lifting a little but will remain generally cloudy. The snow road back to town is open.

Snow And Weather Forecast

Weather forecast is for the fog to clear today. Saturday will be sunny until later in the day, when there will be snow — which should continue until early Sunday. The Accuview forecast on this site is proving to be  accurate; so I’m using this to back up what the weather charts are telling me.

Lifts Open Queues

At 8:10 am this morning there was a long queue waiting for the gondola to start . Today the first skiers will have arrived by 07:50 to be ensure first gondolas up. Oh dear…

…and the queues today will be large: as I write the Todorka chair lifts are shut.

Lift Queue At 08:10, 8th January 2010

The alternative is to drive up to Buderitsa early in the morning — and this is a good option right now. I also recommend Chalin Valog area for beginners. The drag lift there had less long lines than Buderitsa, and the snow cover is sufficient.

If you liked this article and wish to read more about Bansko then don’t forget to subscribe for free newsletter.

For high quality accommodation in Bansko, check out apartment pictures and prices here:

http://banskoblog.com/bansko-accommodation/

and tranfers to Bansko, car hire and bus options here:

http://banskoblog.com/sofia-transfers/

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Bansko Gondola Lift Base Station

Bansko lift pass prices 09/10 remain the same as last season. Prices range from 40 leva (EUR20.50) per day from 1st April 2010 to 55 leva (EUR 28 approx) per day high season. With mid season (to 23/12/09 and between 11/1/10 and 31/3/10) 50 leva (EUR 25.60) per day. Season lift pass is a wallet emptying 860 leva (EUR 441 approx). For children up to 12 years old the mid season lift pass is 30 leva day. UPDATE: 2010/11 prices the same as 09/10 season.

Click Lift pass prices 2012

In spite of the season ticket being two months salary for many Bulgarian workers, this is Bansko!  The fact is, that if you plan around 17 days or more of Bansko skiing this season, then investing in a season ticket makes sense – saves time and hassle too.

Now the GOOD NEWS… the prepay deal with BanskoBlog.com 20% discount off in resort ski /board hire and up to 60% off with the ski packages (tuition, ski/board hire). Pay in UK Pounds or EUROS.

Beginner courses start at just 230 euros per person for 4 hours instruction per day, ski/board boot hire, 6 day lift pass. For lift pass inclusive packages you need to book up 7 days in advance.  Just turn up and with your prepaid voucher you pick up your lift pass (no need for photo) and voucher for rental and instruction. It couldn’t be simpler. We work with BanskoSkiMania in Bansko, both jsut have a guaranteed 8 maximum in class (although average is four) and professional instruction… this school is recommend.

Both hire shops are very close to  the gondola lift and you can leave your skis and boots at the shops at the end of your day on the slopes. All have equipment which is either this season or last. Both service the skis between rental, including sharp edges and hot waxing.

This deal is only at prepaid price.

Four Steps To Book Your Discouted Ski Package

1. subscribe here at BanskoBlog.com, and attached will be a SKI PACKAGE form to fill in and email back to us
2. a quote will be sent to you for the two options
3. you will then be instructed to pay BanskoBlog.com by PAYPAL
4. you receive your voucher

If you just need a 6 day lift pass, and its seven days before you arrive, then please go direct to LIFT PASS page to pay for your discounted lift pass (adult €136 compared to €147.5 in resort). You will then receive an email detailing voucher pick up instructions (by the gondola). There are other Bulgaria resorts, such as Borovets, It’s a competitive world — and all of them charge much less for a lift pass than Bansko. OK, none of then enjoy all the snow making machines, and modern lift system of Bansko, but some charge no more than 15 leva (€7 approx) a day. So after a good dump of snow, I’ll be venturing into some of these smaller ski zones. Read on for why I think Bansko has not got a CLUE on how to promote itself — and why, for families, these prices are too high. Bansko Lift Pass Prices 09/10 from 01.12.2009 to 23.12.2009 inclusive and from 11.01.2010 to 31.03.201 inclusive

from 24.12.2009 to 10.01.2010 inclusive

from 01.04.2010 to 30.04.2010 inclusive

The season pass isn’t a subject to other price reductions. Mountain Insurance Include. VAT included.

Exchange rates

Value For Money? If you add up the approximate total cost for a family of four taking a ski holiday in a large two bedroom apartment including accommodation, transfer, lift pass, food and wine. you still get change out of EUR 1,600.  How? EUR 400  flights (EUR 100 each) EUR 400 — for 2 bed apartment ‚EUR 630 for 4 lift passes (2 adult s + 2 children) Save money by prepaying a 6 day lift pass ‚EUR 160  for food and wine (eating in + sandwiches for lunch) TOTAL: EUR 1,590 And for partying skiers where the night life involves drinking and clubs , then the savings on a night out really mount up compared to most of the Alps.

In the Alps (and much of the USA) a large  beer is EUR 9 compared to, typically, around 3 leva (EUR 1.5 approx) in ski season Bansko. But can be a lot less. For smarter bars and clubs expect 5 lev (EUR 2.5).

Why Bansko Needs Better Promotion? Bansko and the lift operator, ULEN need much better promotion. Everything is more competitive this year. Deciding to come to ski in Bansko competes with everything… like staying at home and watching TV, a hot vacation. In quiet periods ULEN should be really offering enticing deals such as: “buy 2 adult lift passes, get one child for FREE” or like the Three Valleys a “family of four discount” For example, the family lift pass price for the three valleys in France is EUR 742! More expensive, but better lift pass value than Bansko for the number of lifts and pistes you receive. Other deals Bansko could offer are:

• seniors lift pass deal
• beginners lift pass deal

Then there is are the key methods that are used to sell a product or service… PR, Advertising and Social Media (twitter, facebook, myspace etc). Bulgaria lags so far behind in the race with its competitors that they have barely moved from the starting line. The opportunity to promote this mountain resort as a quality value and all year round destination is there for the taking. World class golf, MTB, hiking, culture, jazz festival, film festival. Bansko should learn to embrace the new promotional tools to reap the huge benefits it provides to the local economy. At the moment, I have not much evidence of a Bansko that can adapt to market conditions. That all said, Skyscanner has just reported that flight searches for central and eastern europe are UP 154% on last year. This will mean that Bansko will prosper and benefit from the economic crisis. (UPDATE: IT DID 6% UP in 09/10 ski season.)

Conclusion I still believe Bansko offers an excellent value destination, but time will tell if they have their lift pass pricing correct this season. It may be Bansko will really evolve into the St Moritz of Eastern Europe. Yes really! I recently wrote about high end ski fashion having arrived in Bansko — and here there is more wealth than most would expect.

But if the future of Bansko’s growth and success is upscale tourism, then it must market its uniqueness and value. And deliver customer satisfaction in spades. Is Bansko an excellent value destination. Do you agree or disagree? Please comment below. Sign up for my “snogs” (snow blogs), lots of video reports. Be sure to take a look at ski fashion review 2010: http://banskoblog.com/2009/11/ski-fashion-2010/. Top brands revealed — and where to buy them in Bansko, Sofia, UK and online … …and please comment, email, twitter or call me on anything Bansko.

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